LP2 SAR Hull No 316 Restoration.

[Keith Webb]

Another good find Matt! The Hull number and manufacturer was also stamped in to the angle iron piece at the inside rear just above the diff, looks like that piece is still in place.

[lynx42]

Nice project Matt.

Is 316 an LP2 or an LP2A?

The new pickup is an LP2A late build as the tools are located across the rear not along the side as with the earlier ones.

Keep the photo coming as we are all interested.

Regards Rick.

[Mike Cecil]

Hi Matt,

Welcome to the forum.

Your 'Machine Gun Carrier' was built by SAR as an LP2, and was originally registered under the Uniform Commonwealth Registration scheme as C-22033. On 26 May 1942, the registration was changed to the hull number '316'. It was originally built with a 1938 rear axle with the splined pinion and a ratio of 6.66 to 1 (marked 6-40 on the casing). It is the rear axle assembly that denotes the difference between the LP2 and the LP2A: the LP2A having a 1940 type rear axle with a tapered pinion and woodruf key.

First engine fitted to Hull 316 was engine number 1G4992F.

Army inspectors accepted carriers from SAR around hull number 310 in April 1941, so I suggest your carrier was received by the Army in April/early May 1941. It was manufactured as part of MGO Order Number 698 issued in August 1940.

Your second carrier donor hull: As Keith said, check the flat horizontal strap on the inside face of the rear hull plate, just above the aperture that the diff protrudes through. On that should be stamped the manufacturing plant and the hull number of your second carrier. As Rick said, the tools on that one are across the rear, so most likely to be an LP2A manufactured with a hull number higher than about 2700, however, this is not definitive, as tool stowage on some earlier carriers was also moved to the later position as a modification. Most earlier carriers, however, were left in their original configuration, so I suggest that Hull 316 would probably have been that way when it came out of service.

At least you have some good private examples close at hand to look at. Pity access to AMB is not available at the moment, though.

You'll be attending Corowa, I assume, for a real MV initiation, and you can put faces to some of the nom de plumes we use here!!!

Mike C

[Matt Stephenson]

Hi all,

I've checked the piece above the aperture above where the gearbox mates with the diff. There appears to be the remains of "STH....." however the rest has been obliterated by tool marks, damage and slag etc from where it was cut up previously. My best guess is another produced by South Australian Railways, but given its overall state that's the best I can surmise.

Thanks heaps Mike for the info about my hull. I have been intending to travel to the War Memorial at some time to try and locate the ARN for my hull, and hopefully which regiment it was allocated to, this will save me a fair bit of time and effort trying to locate those details with the info you've provided.

I already made a start cutting parts away from both hulls to begin the transplant process. Got to be careful with the grinders to make sure I don't start a fire..... while doing this, I have found evidence of disruptive camouflage painted on my lower hull, which can kinda be seen in the 1st pic. My son's Thomas train set has temporarily found a home on top of the carrier...luckily it easy to move whenever I need to.

I've got some time off when Corowa is on, so I will definitely be making the trip there, and hope to have the opportunity to meet some of you there.

Matt.

[Matt Stephenson]

Hi all,

I was fortunate enough to make it to Corowa last week, and to meet a lot of very interesting people who also share a love for military vehicles. Seeing the restored carriers running at Corowa is inspiration to get on with the task in front of me. In my opinion, the best of all were Darrin and Euan's carriers, both looked and sounded awesome, and it was great to see both of them running. Corowa was also a good opportunity to spend some money on a few bits I was missing.

Anyway, as I had some time off from work, I made some progress with the de-construction and re-construction of my carrier. I took the time to remove some of the damaged and cut up plates in preparation of replacing them with complete sections from the donor hull. I'm fortunate that one of the people that I work with was a boiler maker by trade, prior to a career change, and has willingly volunteered his time and expertise in welding the new replacement sections onto the hull. Needless to say, I'm impressed by his welding skills and ability, considering the difficulties in welding face hardened armour plate. I'll let the pics speak for themselves.

Also, while looking around the rear of the hull, and clearing away many years accumulation of dirt and dust, I made a pleasant discovery on the rear hull plate, slightly obscured by the diff. I found what appears to be original sign writing, which I can only guess was applied at the time of construction. I believe it says; "Army Inspectorate / South Australian Railways / Islington" I measured the letters to 2" tall at the highest, with a space of 1.5" between each line, and evidence of the original lines still apparent. I've also attached a pic for your consideration. I intend to replicate this during the restoration.... but this will still be some way off yet.

Enjoy the pics. Any questions or comments, please don't hesitate.

Matt.

[John Mackie]

Welcome to MLU and the carrier mob.
I bought an uncut carrier hull from Corowa about .
1975. It lay upside down in my yard for 30+ years while I collected enough parts to re-assemble it.
It was at Corowa in 2008, much fun! I have been working on Fords since the 50's and have som\e carrier spares.

[Matt Stephenson]

Hello again,

Not much to update with the carrier, as there hasn't been much opportunity recently with work getting in the way....

Anyway, I wanted to post some pics of a recent barn find, while picking on a farm looking for BGC parts and other bits n pieces. They appear to be grenade boxes, and look like they were painted white originally, with the stencil applied to the front, and felt attached to the inside of the lid. The stencil reads: "GRENADE - SMOKE & THERMITE"

What I don't know is from which vehicle they may have come from, and secondly if anyone out there might have a need or use for them in their restoration project? Given that they were painted white, I'm guessing that they originally came from a US produced armoured vehicle, as british vehicles were painted silver internally. Anyway, enjoy the attached pics.

If anyone can shed any light as to their origin and use, or if they are useful for a restoration project, please let me know.

Regards,

Matt.